Customer Reviews

Example

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While most rock bands of the 90's will sell themselves off as going through "hell" to reach their stardom, the band For Squirrels went through it but unfortunately didn't come out the other side. Simply put: this band is the best band you've never heard of had it not been for a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of all but one of the band's members. The band knew how to mix energy, harmony, and lyrics in a blend which would make many of today's "one hit wonder" rock-bands crumble under the sound of For Squirrels. Despite receiving air time on MTV and plenty of radio air-play, much of the bands best music was *never* released. These include 8.02pm, OrangeWorker, Under Smithville, Disenchanted, and Eskimo Sandune. The band also had enough of a 'pop' blend to it's music which would allow them plenty of crossover to mainstream radio stations. Straight rock, and almost a punk-like feel can also be experienced in the textures created by Example. This CD is my favorite 'rock' CDs that I own and it's depth and breadth would rival such albums as Radiohead's OK Computer and U2's The Joshua Tree. From top to bottom, Example is an amazing testament to the talent which this band displayed. The band was robbed of their lives and music fans were robbed of additional music from this underappreciated and unknown band. (PERSONAL DISCLAIMER: A personal friend of mine died in the accident that claimed the lives of most of the band. Whether this detracts or adds to my review's credibility, I'll leave that up to each individual reader to determine) Moving in Stereo - d.i.roberts

If life were fair, For Squirrels would be one of the most well-known bands in American music, they would have recorded several albums, and half the songs on this album would be radio classics.
But....
Instead, this is the sole album For Squirrels ever recorded, back before a tragic accident took place that cut this band's sure path to fame and success short forever.
The band was en route to Florida from New York, when their van blew a tire. The van rolled over, and the band's manager, and vocalist Jack Vigliatura, and bassist Bill White were all killed. Other members of the band were injured as well, and this album was released shortly afterward.
The band also has an e.p., and the surviving members later recorded an album under the name Subrosa, but "Example" remains the best of For Squirrels' work, and will always remain a great album, despite its tragic background.
"8:02 PM" was a college radio staple many years ago and just rocks with a happy rhythmic squall unlike any I've ever heard elsewhere. The guitar is almost indescribable--mirror-clear guitar notes get buried beneath a rush of distortion beneath an onslaught of drums beneath stop/start vocals and alternating speeds. It rocks. "Orangeworker" is a happy little quirky song with a lovely piano line. "Under Smithville" is one of the greatest songs ever--escalating, quirky, exciting, exciting in its progression, and lyrically stellar.
The songs range from quiet and clear and sharp to walls of sounds and distortion. Every song is good, many songs are great, and the album is a must-have for any discerning music fan, especially for any fan of the best of the 1990s.
This a great album, well worth saving from obscurity, well worth listening to forever. Buy it now. Now!

I am so grateful I found this album. It remains one of my all-time favorite CD's, and shows off the great variety and talent these guys possessed (to do both a frantic screamer like 'Long Live The King' and a happy bouncy song like 'Under Smithville' for instance.) I have not heard "Baypath Rd." which was the collection they released BEFORE this one, but I understand it was very good - If it ever is re-released, I will definitely snap it up. I sincerely hope this CD remains a word-of-mouth favorite of an increasing number of happy listeners for a very very long time - it surely deserves to be. (As others have said here, it should have been much, much more famous and well-known - Proof I suppose of the quirkiness of our existence on earth, the hopeless least-common-denominator attitude of the mainstream music industry, or perhaps both.)

Simply put, this is one of the top 10 cds of the 90's and probably the best band you've never heard of. Every, and I mean every song from "8:02 PM" to "Disenchanted", "Eskimo Sundune" to "Dog And Pony" is incredible. Notice I didn't even reference "Mighty KC" (which is also a great track by the way). This is one of those albums that you can listen to all the way through everytime you play it and still not get bored. It is truly a shame that such a horrible accident had to happen to such a great band. I think that this cd, with the right push, would have sold at least 2 million copies and had at least 3 radio singles, especially in 1995.

Those that know of For Squirrels know of their tragic past. It's time everyone knew them for what their music was-- passionate and energetic. The band skillfully adapts to triuphant anthems from grunge-inspired rock on this album, and each song provides a glimpse into the soul of the younger generation. "Superstar" drives with an authority usually reserved for more established acts, while "Disenchanted" provides a soaring theme of fortitude. "8:02 PM" and "Under Smithville" are REM-inspired tunes that convey enthusiasm and anticipation. I dare you to find a more emotional, purely intriguing voice than Jack Vigliatura's. For pure listening pleasure, no album comes close to providing the scope of energy and freshness that "Example" does. This is by far the most unappreciated album released in the last five years.

It is a classic from first note to last. An unbelievable record that when you stop to think it was their first full length recording, amazes even more. They would have been huge had tragedy not struck. They had it all - great songwriting, great hooks, great melodies, great layering of sounds and a great stage presence. I was lucky enough to see them after the accident when they tried to soldier on as a trio. Despite the near empty room, it remains one of the concert highlights of my life. There aren't too many albums that will take you on an emotional ride like this one. You simply are not a music fan if you don't have it.

I can't say enough about this album, so I'll keep it brief. Every song is a masterpiece - warm, powerful, important. "Mighty KC" is the most important 5 minutes spent examining Kurt Cobain in our lexicon. Every song pains a lush picture of introspection and joy. A CD collection without "Example" is incomplete.

I was pushing this album back in the day when I DJed for WFCF (at the time, Florida's largest college station). I loved every single track and waited outside of the club in the cold to meet 'For Squirrels'. I wanted to share with them how much I loved "Example". I talked to a guy named Andy who played bass for the band. I didn't remember seeing his name in the album credits, but who knew? I certainly didn't. After the band took stage and put on an energetic show, I knew something was still missing. Finally, I was talking to another fan and she informed me that this was what was LEFT of the band. They had so little press, I was nieve to their tragedy. I could cry. Now, "Immortal Dog and Pony Show" and "Mighty KC" have entirely new dimensions. If the world had taste, songs like 802 PM would top the pop charts and the guys from Stincubus would still be mopping Hardees. Pax vobiscum Jack. I'll mourn ya till I join ya.

I have had this album since the day it was released and I have never gotten sick of it! Buy this album...I promise you will not regret it! The guitarist and drummer started a new band called "Subrosa" (which is equally amazing, although a different sound). Both are two of my all time favorite bands! Be on the lookout for Subrosa's new album (due around fall 2000).

I picked up this album in 1996 after hearing "Mighty K.C." on late night radio, and I've been a huge fan ever since. "Mighty K.C." is quite simply a masterpiece, and the big surprise is that the entire album is great! Plenty of variety, great vocals, grungy guitars, this album's got it all. How tragic that this band was essentially snuffed out by fate just as they were coming into their own. The album stands as a remembrance to a great band just beginning to explore their seemingly limitless potential. Funny that you never heard much about it in the mainstream press. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE with an earlier comment that this may be one of the MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED albums of the past five years. Don't pay top $$$ for the latest mass-marketed trash pop -- buy this instead. You'll be glad you did.